Dubai, UAE, Tuesday, January 17, 2006: Dubai tennis fans will have the chance to see the brightest young stars in the sporting world for themselves when teenage sensations Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova compete at the Dubai Tennis Championships next month.

Nadal's unique white pantaloons marked him out as a front-runner in the fashion stakes, and as he backed up his dashing good looks with sensational skills on the court, no player drew as much acclaim as that generated by the Spanish conquistador during the past 12 months.

Still only 19, he managed to go head-to-head with Federer in winning the biggest tournament crowns, capturing a teenage record 11 titles, including his first Grand Slam - the French Open on his debut at Roland Garros - and four ATP Masters Series events.

The number of titles he won broke Mats Wilander's previous teenage record of nine set in 1983. Co-incidentally, he also became the first player to win the French Open on his debut since Wilander in 1982. He was also the first teenager to win a Grand Slam title since Pete Sampras captured the 1990 US Open.

Not only that, he became the first teenager to finish the year ranked number two since the great Boris Becker in 1986. And although he won eight of his 11 titles on clay and compiled an ATP Tour-best 50-2 clay court record during the year, he was also able to claim victories on hardcourts in Montreal and Beijing, and indoors in Madrid.

"Rafael Nadal had a very impressive year in 2005 and he will undoubtedly be looking to go further than his Dubai quarter final appearance two years ago," said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, owners and organisers of the event.

"He joins a wonderful line-up of players this year and having young stars such as Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova has added even more excitement to this unique event."

"Both players are among the biggest names, not to mention entertainers, in the tennis world and we can't wait to see them in action in Dubai."

While Nadal attracted the attention of the fashion editors as well as the tennis magazines, he was more than matched in that department by striking blonde Maria Sharapova, who won her opening game on Monday at the Australian Open against German Sandra Kloesel 6-2 6-1.

Her glamorous good looks have not only led to a mass of endorsement deals, but her signing with IMG Models and two appearances in Vogue Italia. One of her sponsors, Motorola, designed a mobile phone especially for her, and after she used one of the phones on a trip to Japan it was auctioned for charity and raised nearly 1 million Yen. That's around $7500, or Dhs 27,547.50.

Her 10 singles titles so far, including Wimbledon and the season-ending WTA Championships, have led to her being nominated for the prestigious Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award in 2005 and also for the Laureus World Newcomer of the Year Award in 2004.

In July last year she was listed in Forbes magazine as the richest female athlete in the world, named as one of People magazine's '50 Most Beautiful People' in 2005, and she became the first tennis player in over two years to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

It is natural for great sporting occasions and glamour to come together in Dubai, and the Dubai Tennis Championships will present the best of both worlds.

The Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and takes place under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The Dubai Tennis Championships has won a total of 12 ATP/WTA awards. These include the Tournament of the Year award from the WTA in 2001 following the inaugural Dubai Duty Free Women's Open, and the equivalent award from the ATP in 1998, 2003 and 2004 for the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open.

Dubai, UAE, February 13th, 2006: Rafael Nadal returns to the Dubai Tennis Championships this month as one of the biggest superstars in the game.

But it wasn't always so. When he first played in Dubai, two years ago, he was anonymous, a new kid on the block beginning to test his feet in the water with the big guys. It is doubtful that more than a few even remember watching him as he won his way through to the quarter-finals before losing to Russian Mikhail Youzhny.

But now, powerful and intense, the swashbuckling Spaniard is considered the heir apparent to Roger Federer for number one, even though he is still just 19 years old. He's an all-in package too, with his aggressive style combining with flowing hair and muscular build to make him the biggest pin-up in the game.

"It is incredible how fast Rafael has progressed in such a short period of time and we can't wait to see this young star back in Dubai and competing with the best players in the world for the Men's Open title," said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, owners and organisers of the event.

"He is true entertainer and fans will see a totally different player to the one who was here two years ago."

Nadal won his first singles title in 2004, but it was in 2005 that his career really took off. He had never played at Roland Garros except as a junior, but that didn't prevent him beating Federer in the semis and going on to claim the French Open title at his first attempt.

As well as that triumph, Nadal reached number two in the rankings, won 10 titles in addition to Roland Garros, including four Masters Series events. He was also a finalist at the Masters Series tournament in Miami, and he even had time to win the doubles title in Doha.

But his success as a sportsman might not come as such a huge surprise when you know that sporting excellence runs in his family. He is coached by one uncle, and another, Miguel Angel Nadal, is a former professional soccer player who played at FC Barcelona and Real Mallorca and played in the World Cup in 1994, 1998 and 2002.

Little-known by his real name of Rafael Nadal-Parera and nicknamed 'Rafa', the teenager remains modest about his achievements, and believes he will struggle to replicate his success in 2006.

"Well, I think this year is almost impossible to repeat," he said at the end of last season. "I'm going to start next year in high spirits, but without pressure because this has been an incredible year, a year to remember, to keep at home like a picture you hang on the wall. Next year, I'll try my best, knowing and being conscious that I cannot repeat this."

A foot injury cut his season short last year, and kept him out of the Australian Open. However, his time off could work in his favour when he arrives in Dubai fresh and rested after his enforced break from the game.

And to help prevent such an injury in the future, Nadal has been undergoing several biomechanical studies in Barcelona, working with a new shoe insole to release pressure on the area, and he recently travelled to the United States to meet with his shoe manufacturer so they could build a shoe especially for him.

As he returns to court in Dubai, he will face a formidable challenge as he bids for the title against three-time champion Roger Federer, tennis legend Andre Agassi, 2005 Australian Open champion Marat Safin and Davis Cup winner Ivan Ljubicic.

The Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and takes place at the Dubai Tennis Stadium from 20th February under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Here are some of the things Rafael Nadal had to say as he prepares to play here in Dubai: "This is one of the best tournaments, unbelievable players are here. This is good for Dubai, and good for tennis." "Federer is unbelievabe, best player now, one of the best in history. He is so far ahead of everyone now." "I feel good. Not yet at my best level after 3 months away. The matches in Marseille helped me build up my confidence. Now every tournament is important." "I always play 100%, but I feel good now, and I'm playing good" "I have new shoes, not the final version. It's not perfect, there are a few more details they need to work on." "I have a difficult match with Mathieu first round. Had a difficult match with him in Marseille." His response to the news that prize money for next year will go up 50% to $1,500,000. "Good! It is better! This is the biggest tournament apart from Masters Series and Grand Slam, no?" by Andre Jones (in Dubai)

I didnt know that rafa was playing doubles wif feli..i'm glad -unless it tires him out for his singles -cos it'll give him even more match practice.

hopefully rafa does even better here than what he did in marseille but it is a really tough field in dubai this year so as long as he continues to improve for the two US MS events coming up it'll be a good tournament for him

World number two Rafael Nadal is prepared to be patient in only his second tournament since recovering from a career-threatening foot injury.

The Spanish teenager is competing at the Dubai Open this week after losing in the semi-finals in Marseille earlier this month when he returned from almost four months out of the game.

Nadal acknowledges it may be some time before he can return to the level he reached last year when he won 11 titles including the French Open.

"I don't feel at my best level yet, but that's normal after not playing for three months," he said.

"In Marseille I won some matches and that was very important for my confidence, for my comeback. I don't feel pain in my foot. That's the most important thing."

Nadal does not intend to change the all-out aggressive style that has made him a huge crowd favourite, despite the risk of further injuries.

"My game is my game and it is not easy to change that," Nadal said. "I don't feel a lot of pressure on me now. For sure I want to play good, I want to win a lot of matches.

"But it's not easy when you've had no competition and been without play at the best level for three months.

"Now it's a comeback and I am very happy to still play. Every match is a special match for me."

While most of his rivals were playing at the Australian Open last month, Nadal visited the United States to help develop shoes that should prevent his injury occurring again.

"I flew from Mallorca to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Chicago, Chicago to Portland. I arrived at seven in the afternoon and went directly to do some tests on the foot," he said.

"I finished at 11 at night, had dinner and at six in the morning I went Portland to Chicago, Chicago to Munich, Munich to Barcelona, Barcelona to Mallorca.
"The shoe is not perfect yet. It's not the final version and there are a few more details to work on."

DUBAI — Top seed Roger Federer of Switzerland, aiming for his fourth title here, says the draw is tough. The Swiss takes on countryman Stanislas Wawrinka in the first round before meeting local lad Omar Behroozian or Mohammed Al Ghareeb in the second.

But looking on his prospective clash against Behroozian or Al Ghareeb, Federer said: "It is great for both of them. It is better for them to meet in the first round than playing a top player."

Reminiscing on his comeback victory over Marcos Baghdati of Cyprus in the Australian Open, Federer said he played cautiously at the beginning. "He also coped well with the pressure." But losing the first set, according to the Swiss, gave him the chance to see how to react when down.

"I got my act together in the second and thank God, I got through, but it was not easy."

Federer admitted that though he took control in the fourth set, it was hard on him mentally.

Talking of pressure, the 24-year-old Swiss said: "Pressure is high in every tournament. I hope I can win here again. But all the players this year are also good.

Federer's priority is to stay as number one in the world. "I want to defend the titles I have won and to win those I have not." Federer was even surprised with the progress his countrywoman, Martina Hingis, has made on her comeback. "I am surprised how well she is playing. I think she is up there. I am very happy for her, that she is back," he added.

Federer so far ahead: Nadal

Second seed, Rafael Nadal of Spain, meanwhile, is hoping he could put in a good performance in his second tournament of the season.

The 19-year-old Spanish was dogged by foot injury and had been absent for almost three months. He played his first tournament in Marseille recently where he lost in the semifinals.

"Coming to Dubai for my second championship after three months is very important for me. It is going to be difficult and I have to be at my best for almost a week," he said.

Nadal is currently ranked second in the world, the first teenager after German Boris Becker to hold that honour. He was a semifinalist here last time and hopes to improve on that performance. "I attach great importance to the event as it is good for confidence."

Asked if he would be under pressure, he replied: "I do not think I will be under any pressure this year. It is a difficult start but I want to play and win. When you have not played for three months, coming back is not easy."

He explained that he would only be under pressure when he is 100 per cent fit.

Nadal, however, is not ready yet to change his way of playing to avoid injuries in the future. "I still serve for aces, sometimes eleven, six or five in a match. I do not think I will change," he said.

On Roger Federer, the top seed here and his closest challenger for the title, Nadal said: "He is the best player. He is so far ahead of everybody."

Djokovic after his Madrid 2009 Semi with Rafa: “Next time I’ll probably take two rackets on the match point and try to hit with both of them. It’s frustrating that when you play so well you can’t win.”